Royals manager Ned Yost held Mike Moustakas out of Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays to rest his sore right knee, which was hit by a pitch the day before. Cheslor Cuthbert started for the second game in a row.

Alex Gordon convinced the Kansas City Royals training staff to let him take some swings off a tee a day or so ahead of schedule on Thursday afternoon. He hopes to take indoor batting practice next week.

Ben Zobrist joined the Royals for Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays, and the team optioned outfielder Paulo Orlando to Class AAA Omaha to make room on the roster. Manager Ned Yost said he wanted to keep infielder Cheslor Cuthbert in the majors, as Cuthbert will likely spell third baseman Mike Moustakas against a few left-handed pitchers in the coming days.

ESPN and Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that the Kansas City Royals’ game against the Angels on Aug. 16 at Kauffman Stadium has been selected to be the network’s “Sunday Night Baseball” national game of the week and will feature a 7:08 p.m. start.